Carrying Options on a Roadbike?

Thargor

Hi, I dont want to fit panniers or a carrier or anything like that to my bike but it would be nice to have something a bit smaller than a backpack I could throw a small bit of shopping into on the way home from work to save me riding with a bag on my back which I hate.

Is there anything that maybe hangs down from underneath the saddle or clamps onto the stem that would let you carry small loads, someone must have designed something for roadbike users by now?

rollingscone

I see plenty of people cycling through town on roadbikes dangling a shopping back with one arm and steering/braking with the other...

Lumen

Wind carrier bag handles around your hand(s) to reduce effective pendulum length. Grasp hoods such that bag(s) hang on outside. Don't make sudden steering corrections.

Thargor

Lumen wrote: »

Wind carrier bag handles around your hand(s) to reduce effective pendulum length. Grasp hoods such that bag(s) hang on outside. Don't make sudden steering corrections.

Thats what I do atm but it ruins all enjoyment of the ride...

Thargor

Some good options on Wiggle actually:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-classic-large-saddle-bag/

johnk123

Know a guy with one of those and managed to cope with just that when cycling to and from training.. don't know where it all fit! Shower stuff and everything! Granted he left training shoes and a towel in the changing room, but still, mad!

rp

Detachable front baskets are great, just be sure to get a narrow enough one if you have drops.

ford2600

If your seatpost isn't carbon, get a small carrier, max load 7kgs or so.
Single allen bolt clamp easy to put on and off

Thargor wrote: »

Hi, I dont want to fit panniers or a carrier or anything like that to my bike but it would be nice to have something a bit smaller than a backpack I could throw a small bit of shopping into on the way home from work to save me riding with a bag on my back which I hate.

Is there anything that maybe hangs down from underneath the saddle or clamps onto the stem that would let you carry small loads, someone must have designed something for roadbike users by now?

Seweryn

Thargor wrote: »

Hi, I dont want to fit panniers or a carrier or anything like that to my bike but it would be nice to have something a bit smaller than a backpack I could throw a small bit of shopping into on the way home from work to save me riding with a bag on my back which I hate.

Is there anything that maybe hangs down from underneath the saddle or clamps onto the stem that would let you carry small loads, someone must have designed something for roadbike users by now?

I use this saddle bag almost every day for over a year now (since I started commuting). It is a handy piece of kit and barely noticeable if not loaded with heavy stuff (like butter, jam, etc. ).
Cons: very hard to get, as the stock on wiggle and other websites is always empty when I look for one.

G rock

carradice.

That is all.

C-Shore

I was in a shop up in Belfast and he had a bag that slots down onto a little mount.
So it was a backpack during the day but slots down and acts like a pannier when it clips into the bracket on the bike.

Can't remember the name of it, but it was really handy. I haven't seen them down here though. Name had numbers in it, that's all I can remember.

Not sure if this was it, but it's what I found. I possibly saw a different model. http://www.u34cycling.com/product/stripe-rucksack-pannier-bag/

Thargor

That looks like perfection, not spending €100 on this though, will have a look for something cheaper, that really is a great option though assuming its strong and reliable.

gallybander

On the subject of carriers, am trying to plan a tour up the west coast and on to Sligo, camping as I go, only thing is I want to bring my dog, a Jack Russel, any suggestions ? No I will not put her in a kennel or let her run along with me, I have a hybrid bike. Thanks

Seweryn

gallybander wrote: »

On the subject of carriers, am trying to plan a tour up the west coast and on to Sligo, camping as I go, only thing is I want to bring my dog, a Jack Russel, any suggestions ? No I will not put her in a kennel or let her run along with me, I have a hybrid bike. Thanks

A dog trailer would do. It happens that I actually have a spare one, used maybe twice on very short spins around the house.

kingoffifa

gallybander wrote: »

On the subject of carriers, am trying to plan a tour up the west coast and on to Sligo, camping as I go, only thing is I want to bring my dog, a Jack Russel, any suggestions ? No I will not put her in a kennel or let her run along with me, I have a hybrid bike. Thanks

a car?

petethedrummer

For shopping etc. you CANNOT beat a rack and panniers and they are very quick to install and remove. 4 bolts, if you have the correct eyelets. The problem with the seatpost and saddle mounted jobs is that the weight is mounted high and the bike handles terribly, even with a small weight. Not so bad with just clothes but pop a few tins of beans in there and it's a wobbly nightmare!


As for the dog...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fVwHej8H-8

You can get cheap versions of the Bob Yak on Amazon which are getting decent reviews.

Thargor

What do you think of this thing in Lidl tomorrow? Would it work on a roadbike?

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3BE68B78-2DABE539/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_30352.htm

Thargor

Forget it actually it looks ridiculous and you'd still needsome kind of bag to hold your stuff, doesnt look strong enough either.

joxerjohn

It does look a bit strange with the ball but the straps would work with a holdall or something. I thought it looked like an interesting idea, there are other carrier I have seen in Halford that also to the seat post but there are much narrorer that this one.

petethedrummer

Thargor wrote: »

What do you think of this thing in Lidl tomorrow? Would it work on a roadbike?

I wouldn't put my laptop on it. I might trust it with a sports bag. Like all things Lidl it could be hit or miss.

smacl

I've been using an Altura arran for the last couple of years and find it ok. Not a substitute for panniers, but grand for small shops.

Thargor

smacl wrote: »

I've been using an Altura arran for the last couple of years and find it ok. Not a substitute for panniers, but grand for small shops.

Thats nice alright, especially the quick release, would you fit tracksuit bottoms, tshirt, runners and a towel in do you think?

But what does it mean by velcro attachments, its only velcro holding it on?

JOHN_70

Any of the various Carradice saddlebags, while they may seem expensive they will last forever. I use the SQR tour as suggested by Seweryn and it works very well. The only problem is that if I'm not using the SQR bag the mounting block on the seatpost gets in the way of the small wedge pack I would use to carry spare tubes/tools etc (it straps to the seatpost) so they need to be carried in a jersey pocket.

smacl

Thargor wrote: »

Thats nice alright, especially the quick release, would you fit tracksuit bottoms, tshirt, runners and a towel in do you think?

They'd be pretty squashed, if they'd fit at all. Maybe if they were very light runners and track suit ends, but probably not. (Just tried it with some of my gear, no way would it fit, but my daughters converse, trackie end and t-shirt fit fine. I'm 6ft, she's 5ft1).

But what does it mean by velcro attachments, its only velcro holding it on?

No velcro involved, it's a click lock attachment, which can be bought separately. I've the attachment on both of my bikes, but only one bag. Weight wise, I've had a couple of bottles of wine and a pound of butter, and half pound of rashers in it no probs. There's also a stretchy net on the outside for bulkier stuff.

Thargor

Perfect thanks.